19 Christmas Living Room Decor Ideas on a Dime

The living room got a dime-store budget this year, and I mean that kindly: most of these christmas Living Room decor ideas cost under fifteen dollars, several cost nothing at all, and the priciest is twenty-four. Save this idea before December, because the cheap supplies vanish first. I also used (see also: christmas-living-room-decor-ideas), (see also: budget-christmas-decor-ideas), (see also: cozy-christmas-decor) to plan the room, and the free ideas are the ones my kids still talk about.

• Most pieces under $15
• Several ideas cost $0
• Whole room: under $200

The Tree and the Fireplace

1. Tree in the Corner with Warm Lights

This one started with a tree, warm white lights, and ornaments, and it turned out to be one of the easiest wins on the list. First, set the tree in the corner with room to walk around. Then, wrap the lights inside-out so they glow from within. I stood back and checked it from the doorway, because that is how guests will see it, and I moved one piece until it felt right. I hung ornaments before the lights once and had to redo it all, so lights first now. What I like most is that it costs so little and still looks like I planned it for weeks. If you try it, give yourself a full half hour and do not rush the drying or the spacing, because that is where the cheap look creeps in.

Cost: ~$0 | Time: 60 minutes

2. Plaid Throws on Every Seat

I made plaid throws on every seat with three plaid throws, and it is the kind of idea that looks simple until you see it in place. First, drape one over each chair arm. Then, fold the spare and stack it on the coffee table. I put it where I would see it every day, not hidden in a corner, because the whole point is to enjoy it. I bought matching throws once and it looked like a set, so mixed plaids feel homier. It held up all season without any fuss, and I would do it again exactly the same way. The only thing I would change is starting earlier in the day, because good light makes the fiddly parts much easier.

Cost: ~$24 | Time: 10 minutes

3. Stockings on a Tension Rod

For stockings on a tension rod, I gathered a tension rod and stockings and kept the steps short on purpose. First, wedge the rod inside the fireplace opening. Then, hang the stockings from it with hooks. I checked it from across the room, then up close, and fixed the one spot that looked off. I nailed stockings into the mantel once and regretted the holes, so the rod is my fix. It is a small thing, but it changed how the whole room feels, and that is why it earned a spot on this list. If you make it, keep the colors calm and let one piece be the star, because too many loud pieces fight each other.

Cost: ~$12 | Time: 15 minutes

4. Paper Snowflakes on the Windows

I tried paper snowflakes on the windows after seeing something like it at a friend’s house, using white paper and scissors. First, fold and cut snowflakes in different patterns. Then, tape them to the windows at different heights. I lived with it for a week before deciding it worked, and by then I could not picture the room without it. My first batch all looked the same, so I vary the folds now and it looks real. The cost stayed low and the time stayed short, which is the whole point of this list. If yours feels unfinished, step back and remove one thing instead of adding more, because editing is usually the fix.

Cost: ~$2 | Time: 30 minutes

5. Cinnamon Ornaments on the Tree

I picked up cinnamon dough ornaments and ribbon for this one, because cinnamon ornaments on the tree looks far pricier than it really is. First, roll, cut, and bake the ornaments. Then, thread ribbon through and hang them low where kids can smell them. I set it where the afternoon light hits it, and that small choice made the whole corner feel finished instead of thrown together. I baked mine too thick once and they cracked, so thin dough is the trick. The whole thing took me less than an hour once I had the pieces, and I keep coming back to it because guests actually notice it. If yours looks a little plain at first, add one more layer, a second candle, a darker backdrop, or a sprig of something green, and it pulls together fast.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 45 minutes

6. Fairy Lights in a Mason Jar

This one started with a mason jar and fairy lights, and it turned out to be one of the easiest wins on the list. First, coil the lights inside the jar. Then, set it on the side table as a night glow. I stood back and checked it from the doorway, because that is how guests will see it, and I moved one piece until it felt right. I used a jar with a tight lid once and the battery pack got hot, so I leave it loose. What I like most is that it costs so little and still looks like I planned it for weeks. If you try it, give yourself a full half hour and do not rush the drying or the spacing, because that is where the cheap look creeps in.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 10 minutes

7. Wrapping Paper Tree Skirt

I made wrapping paper tree skirt with wrapping paper and tape, and it is the kind of idea that looks simple until you see it in place. First, wrap a big circle of paper around the tree base. Then, tape the seam and fluff the edges. I put it where I would see it every day, not hidden in a corner, because the whole point is to enjoy it. I used thin paper once and it tore by Christmas, so thick paper holds up. It held up all season without any fuss, and I would do it again exactly the same way. The only thing I would change is starting earlier in the day, because good light makes the fiddly parts much easier.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 15 minutes

Seats, Snacks, and Small Comforts

8. Pinecone Garland on the Bookshelf

For pinecone garland on the bookshelf, I gathered pinecones, twine, and a needle and kept the steps short on purpose. First, thread the pinecones onto twine. Then, drape it across the bookshelf front. I checked it from across the room, then up close, and fixed the one spot that looked off. I spaced mine too far once and it looked sparse, so closer spacing fills it out. It is a small thing, but it changed how the whole room feels, and that is why it earned a spot on this list. If you make it, keep the colors calm and let one piece be the star, because too many loud pieces fight each other.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 20 minutes

9. Hot Cocoa Station on a Tray

I tried hot cocoa station on a tray after seeing something like it at a friend’s house, using a tray, mugs, cocoa, and marshmallows. First, set the tray on the sideboard with mugs and cocoa. Then, add a jar of marshmallows and candy canes. I lived with it for a week before deciding it worked, and by then I could not picture the room without it. I set mine up too early once and the cocoa went stale, so I refill it weekly. The cost stayed low and the time stayed short, which is the whole point of this list. If yours feels unfinished, step back and remove one thing instead of adding more, because editing is usually the fix.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 10 minutes

10. Red Pillow Covers on the Sofa

I picked up two red pillow covers for this one, because red pillow covers on the sofa looks far pricier than it really is. First, slip them over the everyday pillows. Then, fluff and karate-chop the tops. I set it where the afternoon light hits it, and that small choice made the whole corner feel finished instead of thrown together. I bought whole new pillows once and paid double, so covers are the budget move. The whole thing took me less than an hour once I had the pieces, and I keep coming back to it because guests actually notice it. If yours looks a little plain at first, add one more layer, a second candle, a darker backdrop, or a sprig of something green, and it pulls together fast.

Cost: ~$12 | Time: 10 minutes

11. Advent Calendar on the Wall

This one started with a simple advent calendar and hooks, and it turned out to be one of the easiest wins on the list. First, hang it where kids can reach it. Then, fill each pocket the night before. I stood back and checked it from the doorway, because that is how guests will see it, and I moved one piece until it felt right. I filled mine all at once once and the candy went stale, so nightly filling wins. What I like most is that it costs so little and still looks like I planned it for weeks. If you try it, give yourself a full half hour and do not rush the drying or the spacing, because that is where the cheap look creeps in.

Cost: ~$14 | Time: 20 minutes

12. Orange Slice Ornaments

I made orange slice ornaments with dried orange slices and twine, and it is the kind of idea that looks simple until you see it in place. First, thread twine through each slice. Then, hang them on the lower branches. I put it where I would see it every day, not hidden in a corner, because the whole point is to enjoy it. I sliced mine too thick once and they took days to dry, so thin slices only. It held up all season without any fuss, and I would do it again exactly the same way. The only thing I would change is starting earlier in the day, because good light makes the fiddly parts much easier.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 30 minutes

13. Christmas Books Stack on the Table

For christmas books stack on the table, I gathered three Christmas picture books and kept the steps short on purpose. First, stack them on the coffee table, biggest at the bottom. Then, top with a small pine sprig. I checked it from across the room, then up close, and fixed the one spot that looked off. I stacked mine too tall once and they toppled, so three is the limit. It is a small thing, but it changed how the whole room feels, and that is why it earned a spot on this list. If you make it, keep the colors calm and let one piece be the star, because too many loud pieces fight each other.

Cost: ~$0 | Time: 5 minutes

14. Twinkle Lights Behind Sheer Curtains

I tried twinkle lights behind sheer curtains after seeing something like it at a friend’s house, using fairy lights and sheer curtains. First, hang the lights behind the curtains. Then, plug them into a timer for evenings. I lived with it for a week before deciding it worked, and by then I could not picture the room without it. I hung mine in front once and the wires showed, so behind is the magic. The cost stayed low and the time stayed short, which is the whole point of this list. If yours feels unfinished, step back and remove one thing instead of adding more, because editing is usually the fix.

Cost: ~$9 | Time: 15 minutes

The Final Details

15. Santa Hat on the Lamp

I picked up a Santa hat for this one, because santa hat on the lamp looks far pricier than it really is. First, pop the hat on the table lamp shade. Then, tilt it slightly so it looks playful. I set it where the afternoon light hits it, and that small choice made the whole corner feel finished instead of thrown together. I put mine on straight once and it looked stiff, so a tilt makes it fun. The whole thing took me less than an hour once I had the pieces, and I keep coming back to it because guests actually notice it. If yours looks a little plain at first, add one more layer, a second candle, a darker backdrop, or a sprig of something green, and it pulls together fast.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 5 minutes

16. Cranberry Garland on the Mantel

This one started with fresh cranberries and thread, and it turned out to be one of the easiest wins on the list. First, thread the cranberries onto a needle and string. Then, drape it across the mantel. I stood back and checked it from the doorway, because that is how guests will see it, and I moved one piece until it felt right. I used a thin thread once and it snapped, so doubled thread holds. What I like most is that it costs so little and still looks like I planned it for weeks. If you try it, give yourself a full half hour and do not rush the drying or the spacing, because that is where the cheap look creeps in.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 25 minutes

17. Cozy Reading Nook with Lights

I made cozy reading nook with lights with a chair, a throw, and fairy lights, and it is the kind of idea that looks simple until you see it in place. First, move the chair near the window. Then, drape the lights around the chair back. I put it where I would see it every day, not hidden in a corner, because the whole point is to enjoy it. I set mine up too far from the lamp once and it was too dark to read, so light matters. It held up all season without any fuss, and I would do it again exactly the same way. The only thing I would change is starting earlier in the day, because good light makes the fiddly parts much easier.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 15 minutes

18. Jingle Bell Wreath on the Door

For jingle bell wreath on the door, I gathered a grapevine wreath and jingle bells and kept the steps short on purpose. First, wire the bells around the wreath. Then, hang it on the living room door. I checked it from across the room, then up close, and fixed the one spot that looked off. I wired mine too loose once and they fell off, so tight wire is key. It is a small thing, but it changed how the whole room feels, and that is why it earned a spot on this list. If you make it, keep the colors calm and let one piece be the star, because too many loud pieces fight each other.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 20 minutes

19. Christmas Card Display on Twine

I tried christmas card display on twine after seeing something like it at a friend’s house, using twine, clothespins, and cards. First, string the twine across the wall. Then, clip the cards along it as they arrive. I lived with it for a week before deciding it worked, and by then I could not picture the room without it. I taped cards to the wall once and it peeled paint, so twine is the safe fix. The cost stayed low and the time stayed short, which is the whole point of this list. If yours feels unfinished, step back and remove one thing instead of adding more, because editing is usually the fix.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 10 minutes

Quick Questions

Q: How much does it cost to decorate a living room for Christmas?

A: Most of these ideas cost under fifteen dollars, and you can do the whole room for under two hundred by picking ten of them.

Q: Are the paper snowflakes safe with kids?

A: Yes, paper and tape are the safest decor I know, and kids love cutting their own.

Q: Can I use real candles in the jars?

A: I use LED tea lights in jars, because real candles get hot in glass and I never leave them burning alone.

That is all nineteen, and the living room finally feels like Christmas without the big spend. Save this idea, start with the tree, and add the small pieces one evening at a time.